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Oklahoma state parks to host hikes on New Year's Day

Hikers participate in a previous year's First Day Hike at Arrowhead State Park in Canadian. [Photo provided by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.]

Looking for a healthy way to kick off 2018?

A number of Oklahoma state parks are hosting free, guided hikes on New Year's Day.

Last year, more than 1,300 people participated in First Day Hikes in Oklahoma, and they hiked a combined 2,400 miles statewide at state parks, Oklahoma State Park Director Kris Marek stated in a news release.

This year, 19 state parks, including Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman, plan to host hikes on Monday.

Those who would like to participate in the Lake Thunderbird hike should meet at 1 p.m. at the Discovery Cove Nature Center for two different one-mile hikes. One will take guests on a nature trail, and the other will take guests on a paved trail.

Hikers should wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes. They also should bring water. Dogs on leashes are welcome at some parks.

Darla Slipke is an enterprise reporter for The Oklahoman. She is a native of Bristol, Conn., and a graduate of the University of Kansas. Slipke worked for newspapers in Kansas, Connecticut, North Carolina and Oklahoma, including a previous...
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